Digital Main Street Program Renewed to Help Small Businesses
April 14, 2022Cornwall Ontario – Cornwall small businesses will find it easier to expand their online footprints through the renewal of the Digital Main Street program, including Digital Service Squads, which have helped thousands of businesses with one-on-one technology support.
“Main street small businesses are the economic foundation of communities across Ontario,” said Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. “Our government is supporting them in reaching new customers and new markets through Digital Main Street. To date, we have helped more than 41,000 Ontario businesses, and expect this funding will give 36,000 more businesses the boost they need to raise their digital profile.”
Digital Service Squads are composed of recent graduates and students with strong technology and marketing backgrounds that communities can access to provide to their business members. The squads provide one-on-one technical help with digital assessments, website creation, social media advertising, and e-commerce platforms.
The Digital Main Street program offers three resources to small businesses:
- Digital Service Squads provide one-on-one help and technical training. Small business owners will receive targeted support to get started, grow their digital presence, and grow their business. Applications for this resource are now open.
- ShopHERE supports the creation of online stores via e-commerce platforms.
- Digital Transformation Grants of up to $2,500 to fund the implementation of digital strategies for small businesses. Applications will be open in the coming months.
“Ontario’s small businesses are key to the strength of our economy,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through Digital Main Street, we’re giving business owners and operators the tools they need to strengthen their online presence and enhance their technical skills, so they can better supply their customers, contribute to our economic stability and create jobs.”
Additional Information
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact the Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre with any questions they may have on the Digital Main Street Program. You can link up with CBEC online:
Quick Facts
- Since the Digital Main Street program launched, over 41,000 businesses have received support from combined federal and provincial funding.
- In the last year, Digital Main Street has supported over 20,000 businesses, of which, almost 15,000 accessed assistance through 64 Digital Service Squads.
- The Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, passed on March 3, will make it simpler for businesses to access government services.
- In the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, the province committed to an increased investment of $40 million over two years to help Ontario businesses better compete at home and abroad.
- The Government of Ontario has renewed its commitment to young entrepreneurs, aged 18 – 39, with the support of a $1 million investment in Futurpreneur Canada. Futurpreneur is a non-profit organization that helps Canadians become business owners with loan financing, mentoring and business resources.
- Ontario is investing $5 million over two years in a targeted program for Indigenous, Black and other racialized entrepreneurs to start or grow their business. The Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) grant helps to remove systemic barriers by providing funding, training, and culturally relevant services to entrepreneurs. RAISE is administered through the Digital Main Street program.
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